Priscilla Stevens, a veteran of more than a decade supervising campus law enforcement and safety activities, has been hired as the new director of Campus Safety & Security at UW-River Falls.

Stevens assumed her new position on Dec. 1, following a national search that drew 50 applicants.

In addition to supervising the campus's eight full- and part-time security officers, Stevens also will oversee the staff and students employed in the campus parking office, safety department, and hazardous waste. She also will serve as the liaison to regional law enforcement, judicial and emergency services organizations.

Stevens will report to Virgil Nylander, vice chancellor for administration and finance. Said Nylander of her appointment, "Priscilla is exceptionally qualified and very enthusiastic about working with the campus. She is a tremendous addition to UW-River Falls."

In her previous appointment, Stevens directed a staff of 35 while serving as the Chief of Public Safety at Wheaton College, a private college in the western Chicago suburb of Wheaton. Her responsibilities were similar to those at UW-RF, including directing security, parking, emergency services, campus safety and
emergency management.

Stevens indicated that as the new director she will emphasizing increased training for departmental staff, as well as safety awareness education for students, faculty and staff.

She is a graduate of numerous law enforcement and safety programs, and is a certified American Red Cross instructor in First Aid, Pulmonary Resusciation, and Disease Transmission Prevention.

Stevens holds a degree in music from John Brown University and has sung professionally with the Chicago Lyric Opera. Additionally, she is a nationally ranked power weightlifter.

Her professional affiliations include serving as the president of the Illinois Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, and she is a member of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Fire Protection Association.

She replaces public affairs director Mark Kinders, who has served as interim director since the retirement of Charles Riley in July.